Green Batik Transformation Programme

Green Batik

Transformation

Programme

About the Initiative

From Tradition To Innovation

Batik has been recognised as an icon of Indonesian culture for centuries. The colourful, hand-crafted fabrics with their beautiful, intricate designs are known worldwide. Unfortunately, the industry faces a growing crisis: traditional production methods that cause environmental damage, dangerous labour conditions that harm workers’ health, and a lack of modern-day business skills.

The Green Batik Transformation Programme was born from a vision that this does not have to be the future of batik. The programme brings together local communities, governments, universities, and international partners to transform how batik is produced, managed, and celebrated. From wastewater solutions and sustainable water use to green industry standards and community empowerment, every initiative under this programme is a step toward a cleaner, fairer, and more resilient batik industry.

Environment

Heritage Craft

Innovation

Sustainable Dyes

Women Empowerment

Clean Water

Green Batik Goals

The 12 Green Batik Goals

The 12 Green Batik Goals provide a guiding framework for advancing a more sustainable and resilient batik sector in Pekalongan. Developed through an analysis of sector-wide challenges, these goals identify key areas for transformation towards greener and more responsible batik practices.

Promote sourcing of raw materials, such as fabrics and dyes, that have been produced in a environmentally sustainable way and respecting fair and safe working conditions of people.

Actively engage young people with the green transformation of the batik sector and create attractive education and career opportunities for them.

Ensure women batik workers have fairly paid jobs and equal opportunities for career and personal development.

Water and energy used for batik production is sustainably sourced and safe for batik workers.

Batik production is free from waste and pollution that damages people and the environment.

Batik production workshops, working processes, tools and materials are safe for workers.

Original hand-made batik artistry and craftsmanship is promoted and celebrated as Indonesia’s culture heritage, being protected against plagiarism and valued over printing.

Buyers of batik are educated to recognise and value sustainably produced, original batik.

Batik producers run their workshops as professional, modern businesses that comply with applicable policies and legislation.

Batik producers create a profitable business for their products.

Pekalongan gains a strong and unique identity in domestic and international markets that contributes to better prices for batik producers.

The Indonesian government implements policies that support and promote sustainable, green batik production and trade.

History & Milestones

The Journey Of Green Batik Transformation Programme

16th Century

The Origin of Batik

Batik wax-resist dyeing emerges in Java, Indonesia - a meticulous craft passed through generations using hand-drawn canting tools and natural dyes.

2009

Batik Recognised by the World

UNESCO officially recognised batik as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on 2 October (since then celebrated as National Batik Day), securing its place on the world stage.

Pekalongan: “The City of Batik”

Pekalongan establishes itself as Indonesia's largest and most vibrant centre of batik production.

2014

Pekalongan as Creative City

Pekalongan became the first Southeast Asian city to be included in UNESCO's Creative Cities Network, in the category of Crafts and Folk Art, due to batik being deeply embedded in the city's economy, culture, and social identity.

2021

First Study: Water Resources Assessment in Pekalongan

Carried out by Deltares and UNDIP, the study assessed Pekalongan's water resource challenges, including batik wastewater pollution, water reliability, land subsidence, and tidal flooding.

2021–2022

Second Study: Solutions for Wastewater of Batik Pekalongan

Executed by Royal HaskoningDHV Indonesia, this study assessed the baseline conditions of batik wastewater management and identified both technical and non-technical solutions to reduce water pollution, groundwater extraction, and land subsidence.

2022–2023

Third Study: Batik Wastewater Solutions for Pekalongan

Commissioned to The Water Agency, this study mapped local stakeholders' needs, identified solutions, and conducted matchmaking, concluding that an integrated approach beyond just wastewater treatment is needed.

2023-2024

The Establishment of Green Batik Transformation Programme

The Water Agency continued to develop the batik case in Pekalongan, moving from research and matchmaking to building a concrete roadmap for change, and established Green Batik Transformation Programme.

2025-present

Green Batik Pekalongan Pilot Project

The Green Batik Transformation Programme launches a 2-year pilot project in Pekalongan, introduces practical and sustainable interventions throughout the water cycle in the batik industry: water abstraction, water use, and water discharge.

Documentary

Real People, Real Change

Batik workshop owners who collaborate with us to bring the Green Batik Transformation Programme to life, leading the way towards sustainable batik production.

Batik Cities Network

From Pekalongan To The Other Batik Cities

Pekalongan is where this transformation begins, but it will not end there. The Green Batik Transformation Program is designed to grow, replicate, and inspire change across Indonesia. By proving that tradition and sustainability can thrive together, we aim to create a national network of sustainable batik production and cultural preservation.